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{{Puffery|date=March 2023}} '''SheerPower 4GL''' is a [[fourth-generation programming language]] developed by ''Touch Technologies, Inc.''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Touch Technologies Inc.|url=http://www.ttinet.com/|access-date=2021-09-15|website=www.ttinet.com}}</ref> SheerPower 4GL is the result of porting Touch Technologies' ''Intouch 4GL'' programming language that runs on [[OpenVMS]] (for [[DEC Alpha]] and [[VAX]] computers) to [[Windows]], launching in 2000. Downloads are free from the official SheerPower 4GL website.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sheerpower|url=http://www.sp4gl.com/|access-date=2021-09-15|website=www.sp4gl.com}}</ref> SheerPower 4GL is similar to the [[BASIC programming language]], and is easy to learn.

==Features==
SheerPower 4GL has several key features:

It is free for hobbyists and non-profit organizations.

Web scripting features make it fast and easy to develop dynamic web pages using SheerPower's BASIC-like syntax.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-02-27|title=SheerPower 4GL|url=http://sp4gl.com/index_scripting.htmlx|access-date=2021-09-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227063557/http://sp4gl.com/index_scripting.htmlx|archive-date=2017-02-27}}</ref> Version 5.0 was the official release containing the syntax and logic for web scripting in SheerPower.

SheerPower utilizes a "Perfect Precision Math Package"<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-02-27|title=SheerPower 4GL's Perfect Precision Math|url=http://sp4gl.com/index_perfect.htmlx|access-date=2021-09-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227065211/http://sp4gl.com/index_perfect.htmlx|archive-date=2017-02-27}}</ref> for which the patent 7149765 "Apparatus and method for precision binary numbers and numerical operations" <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7149765.PN.&OS=PN/7149765&RS=PN/7149765.|title = United States Patent: 7149765 - Apparatus and method for precision binary numbers and numerical operations}}</ref> is applied to. This precision math eliminates the rounding off errors experienced when using a floating point data type.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://speleotrove.com/decimal/|title = General Decimal Arithmetic}}</ref>

SheerPower comes bundled with ARS – Advanced Record System database engine.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-02-27|title=SheerPower 4GL|url=http://sp4gl.com/ars.htmlx|access-date=2021-09-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227063735/http://sp4gl.com/ars.htmlx|archive-date=2017-02-27}}</ref> ARS is a proprietary database engine also developed by Touch Technologies, Inc. TTI created the ARS engine because performance is critical in many applications. For example, ARS is over 20 times faster than [[MySQL]] for shared read/write operations.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}

Open Database Connectivity - SheerPower supports other database engines through its [[ODBC]] interface, and its own ARS engine can be accessed via ODBC in other database applications.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}

SheerPower Internet Services (SPINS) Webserver also comes bundled with SheerPower 4GL. The SPINS Webserver comes bundled with SheerPower and was developed for simplicity in use and high-speed for performance. On a modern multi-core system, the SPINS web server can perform over 1,000 page hits per second—given enough bandwidth of course.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}

There is also a [[Common Gateway Interface]] (CGI) interface built into SheerPower, along with many other built-in functions designed for high-performance and increased programmer productivity.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}

==Security==
SheerPower 4GL has the following built-in security features:

A SheerPower program cannot be run from any Windows Temporary folder. This stops [[computer viruses]] written into SheerPower programs from being emailed and run when the email is opened.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}

SheerPower does not mix data and code during database operation, which makes it impervious to [[SQL injection]] attacks.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}

==Platforms==
A binary distribution is available for Microsoft Windows NT, 2000, 2003, XP and Vista. The virtual machine can be downloaded alone for the purpose of running {{Not a typo|.SPSRC}} or {{Not a typo|.SPRUN}} programs (SheerPower source code files or deployed files with the code encrypted).{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}

==License==
The software is free for non-commercial use, its terms undefined besides levels of support for business customers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-02-27|title=SheerPower 4GL License & Support Options|url=http://sp4gl.com/purchaseinfo.htmlx|access-date=2021-09-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227064810/http://sp4gl.com/purchaseinfo.htmlx|archive-date=2017-02-27}}</ref> [[Non-profit organizations]] and [[hobbyist]] programmers can use the free license that comes with the download. License fees are outlined for those wanting to develop applications for commercial or business use. High-priority support packages are available. Email and web forum support is available at no charge.
Sheerpower is 100% free for all uses including commercial purposes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sheerpower Programming Language|url=https://sheerpower.ttinet.com/|access-date=2023-10-23}}</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.sp4gl.com/ Official Site]

[[Category:Fourth-generation programming languages]]